You are jubilant because you and your partner have just found the home of your dreams in Florida. After fruitlessly searching for a place that both of you and your growing family can happily settle into for years to come, you think you have discovered it at last.
This seemingly utopian house has everything you want – plenty of space, a great backyard, an ideal layout, privacy, proximity to excellent schools and shopping and friendly neighbors.
You may love this home with all its attractive features and abundant curb appeal. However, there might be some unpleasant – and ultimately costly – realities lurking where you can’t detect them. There could be major problems or deficiencies that could pose big issues for you down the road.
That’s why it is so important to get the home thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional. Sometimes, a buyer, as well as a seller, can arrange for home inspections to uncover any problems. According to one expert, home inspectors typically try to pinpoint anything that is “significantly deficient, unsafe, near the end of the service life, or not functioning properly.” Safety is always a home inspector’s overarching standard.
Issues that home inspectors zero in on:
- Structural problems
- Water damage
- Defective roof
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Poorly-working plumbing
- HVAC not working as it should
- Insects or other pests that are present
What happens after the home inspection can vary. The buyer might decide to walk away from the deal. In another scenario, the seller may agree to pick up the tab for fixing problems a home inspector found. Or the seller could throw in the towel on the whole situation because of the buyer’s expectation for repairs to be done.
Buying a home is probably the single most expensive and momentous purchase you will ever make. There are numerous details you need to be aware of that you may not be familiar with, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. Before you agree to any binding commitments, it’s wise to be aware of your legal rights.
